Emerging Technologies Modern Flying

WATCH: ‘Ultra-Quiet’ Electric Aircraft Engines Power First Piloted Flight

Swift 3 glider with Whisper Aero’s propulsion system begins testing.

Wednesday, August 19, 2026 at 03:30 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Whisper used a modified Aériane Swift 3 glider to conduct the first piloted tests of its eQ250 electric ducted fan propulsion system. [Credit: Whisper Aero]

Key Takeaways:

Whisper Aero's "ultra-quiet" eQ250 electric ducted fan propulsion system has successfully completed initial piloted test flights on a modified glider, demonstrating significantly reduced operational noise and improved thrust.
The eQ250 engine is designed to be 20 dB quieter and 20 percent more efficient than comparable systems, enabling regional air mobility from small airports.
The company plans further testing and is under contract with the U.S. Air Force to develop quiet, efficient autonomous aircraft for contested logistics, with initial testing projected for 2027.

See a mistake? Contact us.

An electric aircraft engine designed to reduce operational noise to a whisper is now powering piloted aircraft.

Whisper Aero on Wednesday revealed that its “ultra-quiet” eQ250 electric ducted fan propulsion system is being put to the test in Tennessee under an FAA special airworthiness certification. The company said it installed a pair of eQ250s on a modified Aériane Swift 3 glider, with which test pilot Zac Majors conducted three flights spanning 130 minutes, or about 43 minutes on average.

Jack is a staff writer covering advanced air mobility, including everything from drones to unmanned aircraft systems to space travel—and a whole lot more. He spent close to two years reporting on drone delivery for FreightWaves, covering the biggest news and developments in the space and connecting with industry executives and experts. Jack is also a basketball aficionado, a frequent traveler and a lover of all things logistics.